Frozen hearts and death magic are two interconnected concepts that have been prominent in folklore, mythology, and various forms of literature throughout history. The image of a frozen heart represents a state of emotional coldness and detachment, often associated with characters who have experienced significant trauma or loss. Death magic, on the other hand, refers to the use of magical or supernatural powers associated with death and the afterlife. Frozen hearts are frequently depicted as a metaphorical representation of a person's inability to feel emotions, particularly love and empathy. This concept is commonly found in fairy tales, where characters such as the Snow Queen or characters cursed by witches or sorcerers are portrayed with frozen hearts. These characters often undergo a transformative journey where they must confront their emotional numbness and find a way to thaw their frozen hearts.

Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

Romance, drama, and mystery abound in this telenovela-inspired upper-YA romantic fantasy for fans of multi-POV stories, forbidden love, enemies to lovers, family sagas, royal intrigue, and mysterious magic.

A forbidden fae kiss could be deadly.

Naia was raised in the shadow of her twin brother, the crown prince, who has iron magic much more powerful than hers. But Naia has wishes of her own. They awaken when she finds a white fae almost dying in the woods. She only heard of them in stories; the dreaded race that razed cities to the ground, killed her grandparents, almost rid Aluria of humans—until they disappeared. Now, almost twenty years later, are they back? Is there another war coming?

But the fae is evasive and secretive—and also alluring and fascinating, more beautiful than anyone she’s ever seen. And then it happens: Naia kisses him—and nothing will be the same again.

In another kingdom, Leah, a necromancer princess, has to find a husband in less than four days, during the gathering, when royals from all over Aluria meet. Her family makes it very clear that she can pick any prince she wants—except one: Naia’s brother. And it turns out that he’s the one; the one who makes her heart beat faster.

Meanwhile, war looms over the land. One of the kingdoms is amassing immense power. The White Fae might be returning. Amidst it all, Naia and her brother struggle with newfound magical powers, family secrets, and most of all, their own treacherous hearts.

Frozen Hearts and Death Magic is book 1 of the Duology Of Fire and Fae, recommended for readers 16 and up.

Genres FantasyRomanceYoung AdultFaeMagicFantasy RomanceParanormal

458 pages, Paperback

First published January 22, 2022

About the author

🪄 Magic, 💜 heart, 🗡️ action, and 😆 fun!
Find me at dayleitao.carrd.co/ and dayleitao.com

Day Leitao believes in the power of stories, the power of characters, and she writes books with heroes (of both genders) finding their own magic and opening their hearts. Of course, there's also the banter and all the shenanigans that happen when personalities collide. 😂

Originally from Brazil 🇧🇷, she lives in Montreal, Canada.

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These characters often undergo a transformative journey where they must confront their emotional numbness and find a way to thaw their frozen hearts. Death magic, on the other hand, revolves around the idea of harnessing the powers associated with death and the afterlife. This form of magic is found across different mythologies and belief systems.

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VIDEO REVIEW HERE: Do I even like indie books? | FROZEN HEARTS & DEATH MAGIC
https://youtu.be/qHMM_I81mZ8

(Transparency: This review was commissioned by the author, however this does not at all affect my rating)

Between the insta-love, they simplistic yet repetitive writing and the fact that none of the characters had any depth, this is the first big disappointment of the year. Maybe I really wanted to like it because of the cute cover.
Every character is plain and either boring or annoying.
The relationships in this book feel like they were written by a 14 year old who's never held hands with another human being, writing fanfiction about Niall Horan on wattpad at 3am from the family computer in 2012. I could look paat the insta-love thing if the plot was actually entertaining and the "soulmates, meant to be, destined to fall in love" tropes were part of the story, but this. this isn't it.
I mean, I definitely would fuck a hot court member or fae without giving it much thought; instant attraction is normal and should be used more. But this thing is getting out of hand, you guys have exchanged a maximum of 9 sentences to each other, get a grip.
Even the adults in the story spoke like 15 year old mean girls bullying someone in a high school bathroom, created by a showrunner who was homeschooled and had his first date at the ripe age of 26.

Frozen Hearts and Death Magic is the first book in what promises to be an exciting and romantic new series by Day Leitao. Political intrigue, manipulation, and maneuvering create an intense world where the stakes are very high for each character.

I really liked the characters, and their stories and situations drew me in pretty quickly. Fel is my favorite. He and Leah have difficult journeys, and they are both tried in the most terrible of ways. Fel is so honorable and decent and kind, and his self-sacrificing nature, as well as his conflicted feelings for Leah, propel him. Leah is stronger than others credit her for, and it’s a good thing. She suffers so much through the story, and it is intense! In fact, you might want to check the content warnings before starting the book because there are some aspects of the story that could trigger readers.

River and Naia are also well-developed, dynamic protagonists. River has a lot of secrets, much to Naia’s frustration. He is as mysterious as the fae world he takes her to, and it’s interesting to see Naia slowly learn more about him and his kingdom. Naia longs for freedom and independence, and I like that she sees these things in River. However, there are times when she seems almost as trapped with him as she was with her family. I’m eager to see how their relationship develops in future books, as their love story is bound to be as epic as Fel and Leah’s.

Fel, Leah, Naia, and River all have so many expectations thrust upon them, often because of events that happened long before they were born. I like how the family histories and past events slowly revealed. So much of what happened in the past defines their present and predicts the future. It’s so fascinating! Each family has their secrets, some more deadly and malicious than others, and the way they all connect and affect each other creates a well-woven and paced story.

There are two romances in this story, which is great for a romance lover like me. I’m a sucker for a swoon-worthy love story, and there is one in particular that I really liked. Both couples have their fair share of obstacles, and they both struggle with communication, secrets, betrayals, and more. I do wish their romances were developed a bit more, but I have a feeling this will happen as the series progresses. However, it’s clear that both couples care for each other and want a future together however impossible that may seem.

The world-building is another part of the story that I really enjoyed. Each place introduced is so unique and different from the others, and I found them each to be vivid and intriguing. It’s interesting how the magnificence of one kingdom contrasts the humbleness of another and how each had such different goals and motivations. It definitely shows what each kingdom values. I’m really curious to learn more about rivers world. It’s so fascinating, and there’s so much more to unpack.

Frozen Hearts and Death Magic is a great start to the Of Fire and Fae series, and after the twists and turns and surprise revelations, I’m eager to read the next book and see what happens to all four protagonists as their journey continues. Thanks so much to Day Leitao for sending me a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Frozen Hearts and Death Magic (Book 1)

Naia was raised in the shadow of her twin brother, the crown prince, who has iron magic much more powerful than hers. But Naia has wishes of her own. They awaken when she finds a white fae almost dying in the woods. She only heard of them in stories; the dreaded race that razed cities to the ground, killed her grandparents, almost rid Aluria of humans—until they disappeared. Now, almost twenty years later, are they back? Is there another war coming?

But the fae is evasive and secretive—and also alluring and fascinating, more beautiful than anyone she’s ever seen. And then it happens: Naia kisses him—and nothing will be the same again.

In another kingdom, Leah, a necromancer princess, has to find a husband in less than four days, during the gathering, when royals from all over Aluria meet. Her family makes it very clear that she can pick any prince she wants—except one: Naia’s brother. And it turns out that he’s the one; the one who makes her heart beat faster.

Meanwhile, war looms over the land. One of the kingdoms is amassing immense power. The White Fae might be returning. Amidst it all, Naia and her brother struggle with newfound magical powers, family secrets, and most of all, their own treacherous hearts.

Frozen Hearts and Death Magic is book 1 of the Duology Of Fire and Fae, recommended for readers 16 and up. Now a complete duology.

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Frozen Hearts and Death Magic (Book 1)

Practitioners of death magic are often depicted as dark and powerful figures, capable of manipulating the forces of death and using them for their own purposes. Death magic can encompass a range of abilities, including necromancy (the ability to communicate with and control the dead) and curses that bring about death or destruction. The connection between frozen hearts and death magic can be seen in various narratives. In some stories, characters with frozen hearts may seek out death magic in an attempt to regain their lost emotions or to achieve a sense of power and control over their circumstances. This connection is often explored in fantasy literature and media, where protagonists must confront their emotional barriers and learn to wield their magical abilities responsibly. Overall, the concepts of frozen hearts and death magic provide rich material for exploring themes of loss, transformation, and the human capacity for empathy. These ideas have captured the imaginations of storytellers throughout history, inviting readers and audiences to delve into the complex nature of emotions, magic, and the human experience..

Reviews for "Breaking the Spell: How to Escape the Grip of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic"

1. John - 2/5 stars - I found "Frozen Hearts and Death Magic" to be a tedious and predictable read. The plot was generic, with no real surprises or twists. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with them on any meaningful level. Additionally, the writing style was dry and uninspiring. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.

2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "Frozen Hearts and Death Magic" was a complete waste of my time. The storyline was overly convoluted, jumping from one unexplained event to another without any coherence. The characters were poorly written and seemed to have no purpose other than filling space on the page. The overly descriptive language only further bogged down the already lackluster narrative, making it even more difficult to get through. I regret even attempting to read this book and would not recommend it to anyone.

3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Frozen Hearts and Death Magic," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was incredibly slow, causing the story to drag on and lose my interest. The world-building was weak, leaving many unanswered questions and leaving me feeling disconnected from the setting. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to become invested in the interactions between the characters. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others looking for an engaging fantasy read.

The Haunting Beauty of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic